Big Second Half Carries Curry Past MIT

MILTON, Mass. - Curry College scored eight touchdowns from seven different players and rolled past visiting MIT, 59-27, in New England Football Conference (NEFC) Boyd Division action. The Colonels captured their 36th-consecutive victory against NEFC rivals, and their 33rd-consecutive victory at home.

The Engineers (3-3, 1-2 NEFC Boyd) took an early 7-0 lead when senior running back Robert Utz cashed in from one yard out at 13:25 of the opening frame. Five minutes later, Curry (6-0, 3-0 NEFC Boyd) got a 26-yard field goal from sophomore Matt Alksninis to trim the deficit to 7-3.

Over the span of four minutes late in the first quarter and early in the second frame, the Colonels got back-to-back touchdown scampers (four and 16 yards) from junior running back Jamaal Woods to establish a 17-7 lead.

MIT cut the deficit to 17-14 on the first of two scores by junior running back DeRon Brown; the first covering 60 yards. Ultimately, the first half ended with a 31-20 Curry advantage after a 15-yard scoring run by junior fullback John Sughrue and a 36-yard pass from senior quarterback Ryan Van De Giesen to freshman wide receiver Norman Landry. Sandwiched between the two Colonels' touchdowns was a four-yard scoring pass from junior quarterback Rick Mancuso to Utz.

Curry stormed out to 59-20 lead with four second-half touchdowns from four different players. The Engineers only points in the second half came with 3:15 remaining in the contest on an eight-yard dash by Brown.

The Colonels tied a school record for total offense in a game with 665 yards (425 rushing, 240 passing). MIT amassed 339 yards (171 rushing, 168 passing). Curry held the edge in first downs, 33-17, and in time of possession, 35:22 to 24:38.

Van De Giesen finished 11-of-22 for 174 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Mancuso had 13 completions in 33 attempts for 168 yards with one TD and one interception. Senior running back Steve DiFabio paced the Curry ground attack with 112 yards on 18 carries. Brown led all rushers with 139 yards on 22 carries. Taylor had seven receptions for 94 yards, while senior wide receiver Kevin Vogelsang also had seven catches for a game-high 108 yards.

Defensively, Curry's effort was paced by sophomore defensive back Jason Ryan, who had a team-high six tackles (five solo). Junior linebacker Daniel Dawson contributed five tackles (three solo), including three tackles for loss. The Engineers were led by senior defensive back Steven Nunez, who amassed a game-high 11 tackles (10 solo) while adding an interception with an 18-yard return.